On Monday morning, the daily office led me to Romans 8:18-24… On Tuesday, Romans 8:26-27. I have to admit there was a certain sense of
anticipation building, as I questioned what I hope for… and what ought to be…
knowing full well that the next words are some of the most oft quoted to
inspire expectation.
Wait for it…
Romans 8:28…
Actually not part
of the daily office, today.
Seriously?
Instead of God working in all things “for the good of those who love him, who
have been called according to his purpose” (NIV), instead of some
special recognition for the uniquely chosen and called, we are left with this
weird narrative that doesn’t initially seem to fit (well, if you were looking
for exclusivity):
Numbers 11:24-30, “So Moses went out
and told the people what the Lord had
said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the
tent. Then the Lord came
down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the
Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested
on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again. However, two men, whose names were
Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders,
but did not go out to the tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they
prophesied in the camp. A young man ran and told Moses, ‘Eldad
and Medad are prophesying in the camp.’ Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’
aide since youth, spoke up and said, ‘Moses, my lord, stop them!’ But Moses replied, ‘Are you jealous
for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s
people were prophets and that the Lord
would put his Spirit on them!’ Then Moses and
the elders of Israel returned to the camp” (NIV).
Oh, Eldad and Medad. I think I kinda ‘get it.’ I wish your story didn’t resonate, but it
does. I’m not even listed among ‘the
elders’… not yet… but I know what it is
to speak truth from where I am, to have the Spirit rest on me, even when I’m
not part of any particular chosen group.
I know what it is to have others implore leaders to make me shut
up. But…
you know… some of us have to speak in the community. We can’t all stand around the tent.
Interestingly, though, I have also been the “young
man…” and Joshua… Well, use some creative license here… I wish their stories didn’t resonate, either,
but there are, unfortunately, power structures that incite panic when it seems
that someone unexpected may take the lead… get the job… win the prize… As if there’s not enough work for all of
us! Goodness, have you even seen the Church? Have you paid any attention to the world around us? We don’t have time to worry about who has the
nicest office… or the biggest paycheck… or the most highly renowned name. Jealousy is both inefficient and
careless.
Thankfully, Moses has some words of wisdom to
impart. I’ve read them several times,
and I think they may be spoken with a hint of exasperation.
Moses says, “Are
you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s
people were prophets and that the Lord
would put his Spirit on them!”
I probably would have said, “Are you kidding me? I can’t do this all by myself! We can’t afford to pick and choose who God
may use.”
And so we’ve come full circle, at least in a
certain sense… to that Scripture that wasn’t part of the daily office, after
all… to that place where we must recognize that God works for the good of [all]
those who love him… and it would be best
if the Spirit would rest on us all and if we would then speak truth and impart
mercy… and justice… and all those other qualities that come from being a part
of the people of God.
The people…
It’s plural…
More than one…
More than seventy…
More than we think…
There’s this quote I love, and, admittedly, I
have overused it lately. I do that
sometimes:
“I’m
not interested in competing with anyone.
I hope we all make it.”
-Erica
Cook
How about especially in
the Church? Especially in ministry? May
these ordinary days be exactly that—not a race to the top but an expression of the
common, everyday kind of love that should permeate each of our lives, regardless
of status or consequence. Now, that’s good…
L.
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